ON a gloomy night for Liverpool, there was at least one player who shone against Bolton.

Jon Otsemobor (left) was absolved from criticism when Gerard Houllier lashed out at his underperforming stars.

The Scouse defender was the Reds' best player by some distance in the 3-2 defeat, but he admits it would be a surprise if he kept his place for tomorrow's crucial Premiership visit to Newcastle.

As those at Anfield on Wednesday will testify, the 20-year-old is being too modest.

On the evidence of the games since Steve Finnan's injury, the youngster is as qualified as anyone to claim the right back position and he can consider himself unlucky if he doesn't face the Magpies.

Otsemobor has been on the fringe of Liverpool's first team for the past two years. The League Cup has thus far represented his only chance of senior action.

Now he's desperate for the Bolton defeat not to signal the end of his involvement for another year.

"I'm hoping the League Cup isn't going to my last chance to play this season," admitted the defender.

"With Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan out, I'm well aware there is a bit of an opening at right back at the moment and of course I'd love to play against Newcastle, but the competition is still strong.

"Even when those two are out, it's still not easy to get into the team. All you can do is keep your fingers crossed. You have to believe in yourself and think you can make sure you're still involved.

"All I can do when I get my chance is play to the best of my ability. The decision about whether I play regularly is down to the boss. I can do no more than the best I can."

With the headlines dominated by the manager's anger at the high profile players who didn't deliver, there was a danger Otsemobor's excellence would be overlooked.

In typical Anfield style he says he'd rather have won the game than the man-of-the-match champagne.

"To be honest I thought we started the game quite well, but what let us down was our defending from setpieces. That cost us the match," he said.

"I was happy with my own performance, but it's a downer when you don't win. You have to overlook your own performance and think about the team first and foremost.

"Even though I thought I played quite well, I'm more disappointed by the fact we lost.

"I only knew on the afternoon of the game I'd be playing. I had a bit of an idea I'd be involved because the gaffer had already mentioned Sami Hyypia and Didi Hamann wouldn't be playing.

"But then Phil Thompson gave me a ring and told me I was in. I felt a bit of pressure then. You get a bit of nerves when you're warming up, but once the game started I felt comfortable out there.

"I thought I did okay when I played last year as well, but there's so much strong competition and you have to respect the boss' decisions.

"He came up to me after the game and said 'well done, you played well,' which was nice to hear. I think you can tell he's very disappointed by what happened, but it's the team in general he's unhappy with, not individuals."

An Academy graduate, Otsemobor spent part of last season on loan to Hull, where he made an impressive contribution, scoring three times in nine appearances for Peter Taylor's side.

His rampaging runs from right back in midweek suggested there's more to his game than simply defending, although at 20, he acknowledges a breakthrough may need to come soon if he is to stay at Anfield.

"I'm hoping my time has now come," he said.

"I'm 20 now and it's always been my dream to play for Liverpool. I've been here since I was 15 and don't intend giving up now.

"I don't put any time limit on how long I'd give myself to break through. I love the club too much. I've still got two years left on my current contract and want to give it my best to play regularly. I just have to see how things go from now."